i hear christy sing, "My Delight Is In You" each time i made a trek to our state capital two hours away to get adoption paperwork apostilled.

i hear kristian singing background as my asher sings in the forefront, "my heart is Yours. my heart is Yours. take it all. take it all. my life in Your hands."

i hear "Ten Thousand Reasons" echo through the pages of my grateful journal as i record as fast as my hands and mind can unify to get the gratitudes down on paper.

i stalked the donahue family in tennessee pleading to hear christy's song on adoption. the words are magnetized to our fridge and are read in phrases as i get ice out of the freezer or get the milk in and out of the fridge.

lyrics that utter the heart's cry of an adoption parent are what keep us from suffocating.

i have found myself curled up in a fetal position on the kitchen rug by the sink as pandora lets me hear brooklyn tabernacles' song, "Faithful. Faithful. Faithful is our God. I'm reaping the harvest God promised me. Take back from the devil what he stole from me. Yes I rejoice today for I shall recover it all."

and the passion band might as well have moved into the pilgreen house. "God of Angel Armies," "The Lord Our God," and "Jesus, Only Jesus" have been battle cries. None sung without tears or shouts of joys.

usually at the close of my morning times with Jesus, my youngest breathes his dragon breath on my neck as he nestles in to me. for i'm letting a song do the work of my soul to utter praise. john waller's song, "while i'm waiting," plays aloud.

"asher, waiting is hard. but i must still love Jesus with all of me and praise Him."

"mom, i know. like waiting for you to fix me breakfast. i have to love Jesus while i wait too."

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

(Psalm 107:27; 43 ESV)

here's my adoption playlist:

Let It Be Jesus by Christy Nockels (Passion: Take It All)

While I'm Waiting by John Waller (While I'm Waiting)

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman (Bless the Lord)

One Less by Matthew West (The Story of Your Life)

The Lord our God by Passion (Let the Future Begin)

Whom Shall I Fear? by Passion (Let the Future Begin)

Reason to Sing by All Sons and Daughters (All Sons and Daughters Live)

Our God by Chris Tomlin (And If Our God Is For Us)

I Refuse by Josh Wilson (See You)

What Love Is This by Kari Jobe (Where I Find You)

Victor's Crown by Darlene Zschech (Victor's Crown)

and for the bollywood in us:

Makhna by A.R. Rahman (Million Dollar Arm soundtrack)

what songs speak to you?

i'm giving away 5 songs today to those of you waiting. those of you in process. those of you on a long journey.

share what you're learning about God in the waiting. in the process. on the journey. and which song above would speak encouragement to you.